THE recent unusual series of flooding in Dagupan City caused by high tide has prompted the Sagguniang Panlungsod to ask the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Coastal Research and Development Center (CRDC) Research Center in Batac, Ilocos Norte to study and make recommendations on the experienced changes in the level of tides affecting the city.

City Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo cited the three days of flooding without the San Roque Dam administration releasing water that usually causes flooding in the city.  (A report posted from the provincial government showed that the San Roque Dam water level was at 233.64 meters above sea level (masl), way below its spilling level of 280 masl).

“There is not much water coming from upstream but why are our roads still under water when the sun is already out?” Tamayo noted.

Tamayo made the proposal after learning from Ismael Gurtiza, research science specialist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 1 that the main function of CRDC is to study the causes of the flood and other natural disasters and recommend measures on how to resolve it.

Specifically, one of the center ‘s basic function, Gurtiza added, is to generate  enough information from satellite images and submit possible intervention that could be immediately done to minimize flooding, from either engineering point of view or geological point of view, he added.

As an initial step, Tamayo asked Vice Mayor Dean Bryan Kua to direct City Secretary Ryan Ravanzo to write CRDC and ask it to make a formal scientific research that can help Dagupan solve its recurring flooding.

Councilor Celia Lim interjected that the Dagupan Flood Mitigation Commission may collaborate with CRDC in conducting the study on the causes of flooding in the city.

Gurtiza was invited by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to its virtual session to discuss a proposed resolution authorizing Mayor Brian Lim to sign a memorandum of agreement with the center for a comprehensive research study to determine the volume of solid wastes being generated and collected from the city’s 31 barangays.

The study will be conducted for six months and will be funded by PDOST for P1 million. The result of the study will be used as input of the Dagupan City government in solving the mounting garbage problem in the city.

Tamayo asked: “Is Dagupan going to be another Venice in the near future? We will soon find out”. (Leonardo Micua/Eva Visperas)

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